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canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
Kind of a 3.5 but affection for the author makes me round up.
Anyway, this is probably the most humorous of Hiaasen's books that I've read. Mostly because of the characters (always one of the strongest part of any Hiaasen novel) especially the antagonists who are the most inept racists I've ever encountered. Being bad at being racists doesn't make them any less vicious however. The book like others are quick, snappy and have protagonists who are surefooted in their actions. That, the environmental consciousness, and the way that he has the essence of Florida nailed, always have me checking out more of Hiaasen's novels.
Anyway, this is probably the most humorous of Hiaasen's books that I've read. Mostly because of the characters (always one of the strongest part of any Hiaasen novel) especially the antagonists who are the most inept racists I've ever encountered. Being bad at being racists doesn't make them any less vicious however. The book like others are quick, snappy and have protagonists who are surefooted in their actions. That, the environmental consciousness, and the way that he has the essence of Florida nailed, always have me checking out more of Hiaasen's novels.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Two redneck felons from Miami win the Florida Lotto, but so does a quiet black woman from a small town known for its religious shrines. The men figure they shouldn't have to share their prize, especially with a Negro, and so they set out to steal her ticket. But JoLayne Lucks isn’t taking this injustice lying down. She has a noble purpose in mind for her share of the winnings and she’s not about to let those scumbags destroy her dream. With the help of a reporter who has lost his interest in features writing, she sets out to track the felons down and retrieve what is rightfully hers.
This is Hiaasen at his best. The novel is full of quirky (or downright insane) characters – a man who drills his own stigmata in order to get donations from the faithful, a woman who is “married” to the oil stain on the highway that looks “just like Jesus,” an assistant managing editor who begins speaking in tongues when he encounters a dozen baby turtles near a “weeping” statue of the Virgin Mary. And these are the good guys!
Throw in a little love interest, more than a few guns, the help of a mysterious federal agent, three co-conspirators who haven’t one brain between them, and two women who are far smarter than the criminals, and you have a recipe for a fast, enjoyable romp through the Florida landscape.
This is Hiaasen at his best. The novel is full of quirky (or downright insane) characters – a man who drills his own stigmata in order to get donations from the faithful, a woman who is “married” to the oil stain on the highway that looks “just like Jesus,” an assistant managing editor who begins speaking in tongues when he encounters a dozen baby turtles near a “weeping” statue of the Virgin Mary. And these are the good guys!
Throw in a little love interest, more than a few guns, the help of a mysterious federal agent, three co-conspirators who haven’t one brain between them, and two women who are far smarter than the criminals, and you have a recipe for a fast, enjoyable romp through the Florida landscape.
magretfume's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
abcarr3's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurlala's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Not my favorite Hiaasen. It dragged a bit for me (at one point I felt like, “we GET IT they’re racist”) but overall I like his writing style and the weaving of comedic absurdity with a true love for Florida’s ecology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Rape
shesnotthere's review against another edition
4.0
Great light novel, which I desperately needed. I love Carl Hiaasen. He's my go-to-guy for fun reads.
leilakrzyzewski's review against another edition
3.0
This lady should be on the TV show "The Lottery Changed My Life."
abookabookabook's review against another edition
4.0
It's always fun reading these books and thinking "I know this person!"
chotchki's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5